Environmental & Cultural Odysseys

Sustainable Student Travel

Od-ys-sey: [od - uh - see].
1. a long wandering and eventful journey with adventures. 2. An intellectual or spiritual quest: an odyssey of discovery...

Agroforestry in the Caribbean

University of Georgia

This 15-day program, Agroforestry in the Caribbean, will introduce students to agriculture that joins productivity with resource conservation; incorporation of perennial species and the use of ecological theory to manage sustainable farming systems; takes steps toward building vibrant communities and achieving long term sustainability within a healthy environment; and integrates farming practices that can be used by farmers in the Caribbean and other subtropical and tropical regions around the world. Our program takes place at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute on the island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands and is a model of sustainable living, organic farming, and agrotourism. The course is highly interactive and experiential and allows students the chance to be immersed in the rich cultural & natural heritage of the island through several field trips and other island explorations.

While students are staying on the farm they will have the unique opportunity to live and work beside local farmers and have a first hand look at tropical agriculture and community living. The Farm provides fresh certified organic meals that you can watch “from field to fork”; fresh greens, veggies, starches, eggs, and of course FRUIT! Activities that take place off the farm will help to reemphasize the course content and hands-on experiences. Some of these include visits to local farmers markets, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture. Excursions relating to the cultural and natural history of the island include: Salt Creek, landing location of Christopher Columbus in 1493; the St. George Botanical Garden, specializing in the relationship of plants and people of the island for the last 3000 years; the Ridge to Reef Vegetation Hike down the Caladonia “Gut”; the historic forts of Christiansted & Frederiksted; sea turtle viewing at Sandy Point; and perhaps Jacks & Isaac’s Bay, a Nature Conservancy preserve on the eastern dry side of the island. We also try to make every concession possible to attend local festivals and activities like “Reef Jam” and “Friday Night Jazz”.

All-in-all this short program is hands-on, busy, and interactive. We expect students and participants to gain an enriching experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives, both personally and professionally.

Program Dates

May 12 - 26, 2010

Program Costs

$TBA. Program fee includes: all accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, island excursions, and travel insurance. It does not include tuition, international airfare, or personal spending money.

Hope Scholarship does cover the tuition portion for qualified students. All students pay in-state tuition. Tuition rates can be found at: http://www.busfin.uga.edu/bursar/schedule.html. Students who are non-University System of Georgia students and out-of-state residents not enrolled in an SEC university will have to pay an out-of-state fee. Please note that many schools and colleges within UGA charge a different rate of tuition. Students pay the tuition rate for the college in which they are enrolled (not the college in which they may be temporarily taking courses).

Credit Offered

FORS/ECOL/ANTH/CRSS 4760 for 3 credits

Apply Now

 

Program Details:

Accommodations

All accommodations are included in the program fee. Accommodations are located on the Farm and are simple cabana bunk houses. Each bunk house comes equip with electricity, internet, and a fan. Students must bring their own sheets and pillows. The Farm has composting toilets near the bunk houses and a full bathhouse near the community center with passive solar showers and flushing toilets.

Transportation

All program related in-country transportation is included in the program fee.

Excursions

All excursions are included in the program fee.

Highlights

Living on a sustainable farm, experiencing the cultural and natural heritage of a Caribbean island